Heavy rain, high water leads to calls for caution

Water rose quickly in many areas last night and into the morning hours causing some roads to be impassable. According to the Nation Weather Service the Black River was expected to crest at around 13-and-a-half feet by morning and the Poplar Bluff area received over 3 inches of rain.

“Random thunderstorms before noon are expected, and a slight chance of rain this afternoon. Temperatures are going to drop down to 47 by 5 p.m. And it’s going to be really windy, gusts could be up to 50 miles an hour,” said hydrometeorological technichian Ryan Miller of NWS.

He continued, “High winds are a concern. With all the rain, trees could potentially be uprooted due to those high winds. You guys are under a wind advisory till this evening.”

According to Poplar Bluff Street Department Jerry Lawson, Roxy Road is currently underwater, as is an area at Karen Drive and Henry Street. “There are signs at Roxy Road saying it is impassible during high water. If you see water over the road, don’t go through it,” Lawson stressed.

Lawson stated that the area of standing water near Karen and Henry will receed fairly quickly once the rain stops, but for now to use caution.

Butler County Emergency Management Director Robbie Myers said, “We encourage you if you see water over the road, as they promote, ‘turn around, don’t drown,’ because it can be deceptive how deep it is and how fast it is and it can knock you off the road in a ditch. So we encourage everyone to avoid driving through standing water on the roadway.”